I've never heard of The Strip Brewery. A Google search states that it opened in 1997, when I was already in Pittsburgh, but it completely escaped my notice.

Church Brew Works was one of the first microbreweries I ever tried, but I've never been wholeheartedly enthusiastic about it. It's nifty that they're making their own beer, and it's a beautiful space. But it's very noisy unless you sit outside, and none of the beers have really caught my fancy.

Chick'n Bubby's space is very small. Most of the space is taken up by the order counter and kitchen area; there are three hubcap-sized tables, five stools, and three chairs with backs.

This was apparently the first day of Chick'n Bubbly's soft opening, so they can be forgiven for not having all their ducks in a row yet. They were out of drumsticks, out of sweet and spicy sauce, and out of side items, so it was easy to choose wings with the soy garlic sauce.

It took about twenty minutes to receive my order, and people who ordered wings later received their order before I did. But again, first day. I regret that my food photos are backlit by the setting sun, but I had only one choice of where to sit. Chick&#x27;n Bubbly by Ralph Melton, on Flickr

The chicken was excellent. The coating was extraordinarily thin and crisp, as crisp as a fresh chip. It snapped under my teeth at every bite. They were all coated in sauce, but they stayed crisp even to the last wing - although I suspect that the sauce-dipped chicken might not stay at its best for long. I would have liked to take a close-up picture of a single wing, but the sauce made my fingers so sticky that I didn't want to touch my phone; even after two napkins, my fingers were as sticky as a grubby kid's.Chick&#x27;n Bubbly by Ralph Melton, on Flickr

I'll give them a little while to settle in, because I want them a little more organized, a little less crowded, and stocked with side dishes. But I will definitely give them another try.

Despite the fact that I have a problem, if not a borderline phobia, about sticky fingers, that really looks good. So glad to hear that the wings stayed crisp, because that makes all the difference. Thanks for the photos and info on this place Ralph!

There are a few restaurants in Pittsburgh that seem to have all of the trappings of a great restaurant except great food. I ate at one of them for brunch on Sunday; I ate at another for lunch on Monday. Then on Monday evening, I added The Yard to that list.

The Yard is a gastropub in the basement of a building on Bellefonte Street in Shadyside. It's got a broad beer menu and a focus on local sustainable food. I like the specialty of grilled cheese sandwiches, because that's a comfort food not found too often, and they use bread from a well-regarded local bakery. I ordered the "Smack Yo Mama" sandwich (with beer cheese, pulled pork, and onion straws) with garlic parmesan fries, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that it came with tomato soup. And it looked simply beautiful when it came out. The shape of the little bowl of soup shows thoughtful consideration for those who like to dunk their sandwiches. There should be no call whatsoever for an "And yet...". And yet...The Yard by Ralph Melton, on Flickr

I first ate one of the fries, and enjoyed the big bold flavor of the coating and the great texture combination of the crisp exterior and soft interior.I had a bite of soup, and it was a good classic preparation.But when I bit into the sandwich, the thick toast rasped against my palate, leaving it raw and tender for more than a day. (Perhaps I should have dipped it in the soup to avoid this. I didn't grow up eating grilled cheese that way, and I never picked up the habit.)And as I kept eating, I realized that the fillings were really bland. A bite of grilled cheese should have a quick one-two rhythm, starting with butter and salt and toasty bread and following with warm gooshy cheese - but with this sandwich the followup was too weak; I couldn't taste barbecue or onion or even cheese.I did finish the meal, and the sandwich kept rasping and the filling became no more flavorful. And I realized that the flavor of the fries was just a big dose of salt and garlic powder. I like big bold flavors and never really appreciate complex or subtle flavors, but even for me this became too monochromatic.

There were so many good things about The Yard that I feel a temptation to give it a second chance. But I'd have to make a lot of special requests - I'd have to ask for the bread to be sliced more thinly and the fries to have half the usual amount of salt. That's enough adjustments that I may have to think twice before going again soon.

Speaking of grilled cheeses, I had this grilled cheese burgerfor lunch at my local favorite place, Porky's Smokehouse. The photo is a little deceiving, as that is a full grilled cheese above and below the patty.

Michael, that really is a great idea! This isn't something I would want to eat everyday, but it was pretty darn good. And if I didn't have enough cheese today, my made turkey devonshires tonight for dinner.

Michael, that really is a great idea! This isn't something I would want to eat everyday, but it was pretty darn good. And if I didn't have enough cheese today, my made turkey devonshires tonight for dinner.

I guess my Chef Boyardee ravioli isn't going to taste very good tonight now that I know what you're having.

That was last night Michael. Having that grilled cheese burger, followed by a double portion of the turkey devonshire, wasn't the best idea in the world. Too heavy and too much cheese. I'm not 18 anymore." />

A couple of years ago lleechef and I ate at the one in Sewickley. A very well done omelet, extra crisp bacon (exactly the opposite of the way it had been ordered) and coffee that was much like dark dishwater. But it's nothing like a Steak & Shake or a Waffle House. For instance, it was a Sunday and it was filled with families dressed up for, I guess, church.

As much as I always bash Waffle House (teasingly) it is MUCH better than Eat'n Park. Don't remember what I had there but I do remember that it was NASTY. But then, I'm sure Ralph wouldn't even consider it for his Monday dinner! How about Tessaro's for a burger?